Lewis Hamilton lashes out at Mercedes again after losing further ground in title race to Nico Rosberg at Malaysian Grand Prix

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Hamilton now trails Rosberg by 33 points with four races remaining (Source: Getty)

Frank Dalleres

Faltering world champion Lewis Hamilton showed further signs of frustration with Mercedes after seeing his hopes of retaining the title recede again at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The team lodged a complaint about Max Verstappen’s “dangerous” driving after the Red Bull teenager held off Hamilton for second place at Suzuka – a result which left the Briton 33 points behind team-mate Nico Rosberg in the drivers’ standings with just four races left.

But Hamilton quickly contradicted and appeared to criticise Mercedes, writing on social media: “There is no protest from either myself of Mercedes. One idiot said we have but it’s not true. Max drove well, end of. We move on.”

The German, by contrast, enjoyed a drama-free weekend in Japan, clinching a fourth win from five races that means he is likely to land a maiden world title if he avoids retirement in the remaining grands prix.

His ninth victory of the season also ensured Mercedes won the constructors’ championship for a third year in succession.

Hamilton, who is chasing his fourth crown, added: “I’ll give it everything I’ve got as I did in the race and we’ll see what happens.”